Visible indicator control system for selective tape track



c. THUMIM 3,248,720

VISIBLE INDICATOR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVE TAPE TRACK April 26, 1966Filed Aug. 20. 1962 lmlmlMlNll 00060006@ @f 1111 |,lll,| 11111111 ||\fl@ IIIIIIL 3,248,720 VISIBLE INDICATOR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVE TAPETRACK Carl Thumim, Lombard, Ill., assignor to Miehle-Goss-Dexter,'lncorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware FiledAug. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 217,899 1 Claim. (Cl. 340-226) This inventionrelates to paper cutting machines and more particularly to paper cuttingmachines of the type that have back gauges movable in accordance with aselected program of recorded magnetic t-ape signals.

In a previously led application Serial No. 840,281, for Magnetic TapeControl Systems, tiled September 16, 1959, lby Carl Thumim, assigned tothe present assignee,

vthere is disclosed -a programming system for moving a back gaugeautomatically in predetermined steps in ,accordance with the spacing ofsignals on magnetic tape.

The signals are recorded in a plurality of recording channels extendinglongitudinally of the tape, and any channel may be selected foreffecting a series of cuts in a paper pile having any predetermineddistance between cuts. In a particular machine now in commercial use,there are eight such channels recordable on magnetic tape and the systemincludes magnetic pick-up head means movable transversely across thetape to any selected channel position, or automatically, to a sequenceof channel positions. When the magnetic head stops at a particularchannel, the signals in such channel are utilized -for controllingmovement of the back gauge for determining the length of cuts to betaken. The general organization of such a control mechanism is shown indetail in the previously mentioned patent application, including themechanism for selecting a sequence of channels to which the head is tomove in accordance `with selection and throwing of a plurality ofrespective switches accessibly to the machine operator.

A diculty with the system as disclosed in the prior application, is thefact that there is no manifestation whereby an operator is apprised ofthe actual operation of the pick-up head subsequent to his commandsignals. Thus, when the head is moving intermediate the channels, theoperator is not made aware of the actual motion of the head, nor as towhether or not is has reached a particular channel or has becomeoperative in such channel. The present invention is for the purpose ofovercoming such drawback and has for its primary object the provision ofa series of signal lamps associated with respective channels whichapprise the operator that the pick-up head has reached a particularchannel, and that read-out is taking place on such channel subsequently.

Briey, the invention contemplates a control panel at the front of themachine, visible to the operator and comprising a series of manualswitches which the operator manipulates to select a sequence of channelsto be put into programming use. Each switch is associated with aparticular channel and two lamps, each of a dierent color, areassociated with each switch. Thus, when a particular switch is selected,a white lamp lights up to indicate such selection. Likewise, where aseries of switches in a row of switches are selected, the white lampassociated with each switch lights up upon any such switch being thrown.Subsequently, movement of the pick-up head transversely across the tapeengages respective channel micro-switches; and upon such engagement anamber lamp associated with the channel switch on the control panellights up while at the same time the white lamp associated with thatswitch is extinguished. The specific amber lamp remains lit while thatchannel is in use and the operator is thus apprised of the channel thenbeing in control of the'back gauge and also of all subsequent channelsremaining to take over control in United States Patent O 3,248,720Patented Apr. 26, 1966 lCe sequence since the white lamps for suchchannels remain lit.

A detailed description of the invention now follows, in conjunction withthe appended drawing, in which:

FIGURE l shows the control panel layout at the front of the machine;

FIGURE 2 shows diagrammatically a portion of the control circuitry forthe channel selector system.

FIGURE ljwill be seen to comprise :a panel 10 carrying a series of eightwhite lamps 13 associated with respective switches Sl-SS, such switchesbeing multi-pole switches having a and b sections. Similarly, a rowV ofeight amber lamps 20 are `associated with respective switches. At theleft side of the control panel will be seen a switch 24 for determiningcontrol of the back gauge in accordance with manual or yautomatic tapecontrol as desired, and also various switches 26, 28 and 30, designatedas forward, reverse and advauce,'for eifecting corresponding functionsof the back gauge in a -conventional manner.

At the right hand end of the panel are button switches 32, 34, 36 tocontrol the functioning of the tape recorder in conjunction with theknife of the machine, the arrangement including various signal coloredlamps, 40, 42 and 44. When it is desired to make recording continuously,the button 32 is pressed which causes continuous flashing of red lamp 40to indicate that a template is moving under the knife and that markingsthereon are being picked up for recording. When a cut is made and button34 is pressed, the lamp 42 shows up as a white light. At the same time,the lamp 40 will signify by a flashing red light that the recording isbeing made. When the button 36 is pressed, lamp 40 remains energizedcontinuously and the recording is then automatic. Button 44 is used fortape erasure, yellow lamp 44 being energized at that time.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, one proposed system for energizing theindicator lamps of the central porti-on of `the control panel is shown.Thus, the tape 50 having eight recording channels, Cl-Cg, is moved inthe direction of the arrow A. A magnetic head 55 will be understood tobe actuated transversely of the tape by a motor 60, reversibly, in thedirection of the double-headed arrow B. The motor 60 is started andstopped under control of motor control system `65, in accordance withthe disclosure in my previously tiled patent application, where- -by thehead stops sequentially at pre-selected channels in accordance withselection of switches Sl-Ss. Switch S1 1s shown in position to conditionthe motor control system 65, via the b section of the switch, for movingthe pickup head to the first channel C1.

Since SDS@ are multipole switches, upon being actuated they elfectcurrent flow from `source V, via the a sections of the switches, throughnormally closed relay contacts of a respective relay 70 (one shown) toenergize the white lamp :13 associated with -that switch. However, whenany relay is energized under conditions described below, the contactsare opened and the white lamp associated therewith is extinguished.

Each of the channels has associated therewith a microswitch l80, whichcan -be engaged by a cam carried by the magnetic head 55. Accordingly,when the head stops at any particular channel, the correspondingmicroswitch is maintained continually closed. Each microswitch controlselectric current from source V to steadily energize the associated amberlamp 20.

The operator is thus apprised of the fact that the magnetic head hasreached a lselected channel. Since each amber llamp 20 isA shunted by anormally closed relay 70, such relayis energized when the lamp isenergized and the associated white lamp 13 is then extinguished.

Accordingly, when any selection .of switches Sl-Sg is made, theassociated Iwhite lamps are energized. However, as the magnetic headstops at selected channels, the respective -white lamp is extinguishedand -the respective amber lamp is energized. After the pro-gram of aparticular channel has lbeen traversed, and the magnetic head moves tothe next channel, the associated amber lamp for that channel isextinguished, inasmuch as the cam 85 then disengages from the respectivemicroswitch 80.

`It will be apparent, from the above description, tha-t an operator atthe vfront of the machine will always be aware of Ithe operation of thetape recording and readout system, particularly as to the channel thenin effect and subsequent channels to go into sequential effect.

Having thus described my invention, I am aware that various changes maylbe made without departing from the spirit thereof and, therefore, donot seek to be limited to `the precise illustrations herein given,except as set forth in the appended claim.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege orproperty is 4claimed are dened as follows:

In ya visual indicating system `for an automatically programmed backgauge, a recordv member having a plurality of spaced programming signalchannels, a plurality f respective switches for said channels, aplurality of respective indicator lights of one color for said channels,means whereby operation of a selected switch effects energization of arespective indicator light, a sensing head and means for effectingmowement of said head relative to said record member -for positioning7said head adjacent a selected channel responsive to operation of aselected switch, a -plurality of respective indicator lights of anothercolor for said channels, a respective circuit control means adjacenteach channel and individually operative yby said sensing head, circuitrymeans controlled 5 by operation of any circuit control means forde-energiz ing the indicator light of said one color associated with aselected channel and energizing an indicator light of saidV other colorwhen said sensing head is positioned at said selected channel.

l0 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,434,072 10/1922 Taussig 340-226 r 2,055,363 -9/1936 Powell 318-33 X l" 2,260,06110/ 1941 Stewart 340-226 2,405,628 8/1946 Yardney.

2,420,066 5/1947 Conway 340-226 2,460,443 2/1949 Benton. 2,463,050 3/1949 Pasternak.

20 2,481,398 9/1949 lDanish 31a-467 X 2,525,767 10/1950 Bruns 340-2262,562,637 7/1951 Park 340-226 2,672,601 3/ 1954 Weliby 340-226 or,2,944,116 7/'1960 Vershoven 179-1001 t 3,032,754 5/1962 Pietro 340-282NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT H. ROSE, Examiner.

30 H. I. PITTS, R. M.GOLDMAN, Assistant Examiners.

